PIL highlights hardships faced by students due to marshy terrain; State to submit affidavit and sketch map for road construction within two weeks
In a significant judgment delivered on September 10, 2026, the Calcutta High Court (Division Bench) addressed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the lack of proper access roads to Baneswarpur RDBPM School and ROSA Dogachha FP School in South 24 Parganas district. The petition, filed by Rabindranath Saha, brought to the court's attention the severe difficulties faced by students who are compelled to navigate marshy and unsafe land to reach their schools and the midday meal building.
The Bench, comprising Chief Justice Ravindra V. Ghuge and Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty, underscored the importance of ensuring a healthy environment for students and securing their future by facilitating proper infrastructure. The court acknowledged that the absence of an access road was not just an inconvenience but a matter impacting the welfare and safety of schoolchildren.
During proceedings, the State Government's counsel assured the court of filing a detailed affidavit within two weeks outlining the steps to be taken to resolve the issue. The court emphasized that the PIL was not a matter of adversarial litigation but a collective effort to safeguard public interest. The petitioner's counsel was directed to prepare and submit a sketch map showing the partially concretised road and the exact locations of both schools along with the distances from the road.
The court further ordered the addition of the District Panchayat and the Rural Development Officer of South 24 Parganas as respondents to ensure effective implementation of the relief sought. The affidavit from the State and the sketch map were to be submitted by September 24, 2026, and the matter was slated for urgent hearing on September 28, 2026.
This judgment highlights the judiciary's proactive approach towards addressing infrastructural deficits affecting education and child welfare in rural areas. It also reinforces the principle that access to education must be supported by adequate physical infrastructure to foster a safe and conducive learning environment.
Bottom Line:
Public Interest Litigation - Access road to schools surrounded by marshy land - Petition seeking construction of road to ensure safe and healthy access for students to schools and midday meal facilities.
Statutory provision(s):
Relevant to Public Interest Litigation principles and administrative law relating to public infrastructure development.
Rabindranath Saha v. State of West Bengal, (Calcutta)(DB) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2979373
